What would someone who has lived with lupus (SLE) for decades tell her younger, newly diagnosed self? PatientsLikeMe member Hetlena (@TheLupusLiar), who was diagnosed with lupus in 1993, recently answered that question for us in the following personal essay reflecting on what she’s learned through the years… “This isn’t the end. There are other things… Continue reading Lupus Diagnosis and Lupus Self Test: Member Hetlena’s pointers for her old (newbie with SLE) self”
Category: Lupus
Parents with lupus (or any health condition) ‘don’t have to be perfect’ — take it from this mom
PatientsLikeMe member Jeanette Alston-Watkins (JeanetteA6872) was diagnosed with lupus in 2006, when her kids were 11 and 14. “My kids are my strength and they gave me energy and willpower,” she says in this Q&A about parenting with SLE. (Jeanette is on our 2018 Team of Advisors.) Can you share a bit about your diagnosis and… Continue reading Parents with lupus (or any health condition) ‘don’t have to be perfect’ — take it from this mom
Lupus Weight Gain: Q&A with the founder of Making Lupus Look Good
Alyshia Merchant knows first-hand how lupus can affect you inside and out. After her diagnosis in 2012 and struggles with visible symptoms and self-esteem, she launched an organization called Making Lupus Look Good, which provides wigs and “glam sessions” to people with lupus-related hair loss and other symptoms. The organization currently serves people in Alyshia’s home… Continue reading Lupus Weight Gain: Q&A with the founder of Making Lupus Look Good
What’s the lupus/kidney connection? Our healthcare pros explain lupus nephritis and more
“Kidney” is one of the top terms that PatientsLikeMe members are searching for in the lupus forum (click here to join the site for forum access). Last year’s news of Selena Gomez’s kidney transplant put a spotlight on the lupus/kidney link. Lupus can affect your kidneys in a few different ways, so we asked our Health Data Integrity Team (our in-house… Continue reading What’s the lupus/kidney connection? Our healthcare pros explain lupus nephritis and more
Lupus Hair Loss and Folic Acid Hair Loss: Tips and Treatments
Are you losing some of your locks because of lupus? Hair loss isn’t usually listed among the core symptoms of lupus, but it does affect many people living with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) and discoid lupus. It may be caused by lupus itself, certain treatments for lupus, or other illnesses or health issues (such as thyroid… Continue reading Lupus Hair Loss and Folic Acid Hair Loss: Tips and Treatments
What’s New In Lupus Research & Treatments?
Keeping tabs on the latest info about lupus research is no easy task. So we’ve boiled down some highlights and trends in the world of lupus research and drug development — take a peek. Rising areas of research Stem cells – Initial studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) — a type of stem cell that lives in bone marrow, umbilical… Continue reading What’s New In Lupus Research & Treatments?
Zoodles! Let’s dish on lupus/food + swap recipes
If you’re living with lupus, have you found any particular foods that affect you and your condition — for better or worse? Member Jeanette (JeanetteA6872), a member of the 2018 Team of Advisors who’s living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), shares which ingredients she tries to include or avoid in her diet, plus three of her favorite… Continue reading Zoodles! Let’s dish on lupus/food + swap recipes
Health news: What’s making headlines in June
In case you missed it, check out this round up of some of the stories making headlines in June… Parkinson’s disease: Apple Watch will now be able to monitor PD: Tech developers announced this month that the Apple Watch will now be able to track two common PD symptoms — tremors and dyskinesia —… Continue reading Health news: What’s making headlines in June
Age-by-age guide to navigating reproductive health with lupus
Lupus can affect your reproductive health in a variety of ways throughout your life and can raise the risks of complications during pregnancy. Thanks to medical advances, the chances of having a safe pregnancy have improved — the key is careful planning. Check out this timeline of gynecological and reproductive health considerations when you have… Continue reading Age-by-age guide to navigating reproductive health with lupus
Member Christine’s Instagram takeover for World Lupus Day
In case you missed it or you’re not on Instagram, on World Lupus Day (May 10), PatientsLikeMe member Christine took over our Instagram to share her experiences and help raise awareness of lupus (May is Lupus Awareness Month). Christine is a native Californian, a social butterfly, an advocate and a member of our 2018 Team of Advisors (check… Continue reading Member Christine’s Instagram takeover for World Lupus Day